RK-720 Cestus Power Battlesuit - Airborne Battlesuit

(Version 2.00 - Last updated: 6/15/98)

Concept and Background by Kenneth
Olson
Based on an original mecha design by BILL SPANGLER, TIM ELDRED and FRED PERRY
Published in Eternity Comics' Robotech Invid War comic books.

Additional Background by Nathan Babcook of
Hellcat
Squadron

BACKGROUND

In the years preceding the arrival of the SDF-1, the Global Civil War pushed weapons
development in radical new directions, all manner of tanks, aircraft, and armored vehicles
were developed and tested in the fires of the Global Conflict. One of the strangest
weapons conceived was the RK-640 Gryphon Airborne Power Armor. While looking
like a bizarre cross between an aircraft and a humanoid robot, the RK-640 was a deadly
combat machine. A large number of these suits were purchased and armed by the
"Lemurian" Pirate group, the power armors were then used in a brazen attack on
the australian city of Brisbane in 1998. While denying responsibility for the
attack, the manufacturer was soon flooded with orders for this deadly new war machine. Not
to be outdone, the North American Alliance soon developed and built it's own series of
airborne power armors, designed an manufactured by Northernhouse - Weapons Division.
The new battlesuit, named the Cestus sported a smaller overall size, modular
weapons configuration, and improved maneuverability. The exclusive development and
use of the Cestus soon created a mini-arms race to build a better robot. While many
new advanced were being made in weapons technology, especially in the area of adaptable
combat machinery like the M-220 Variable Combat Tank, the arrival of the Alien SDF-1 and
the threat it represented quickly ended the conflict that had created this war
machine. While Battlesuits were largely dropped from development, some designers had
grown quite attached to the Cestus and diverted additional post-war funds into its
further development. The Cestus was largely mothballed in the years preceding the
Robotech War, seeing occasional use against high-tech pirates and as a peacekeeping mecha.
It would not be until the aftermath of the Zentraedi Orbital Bombardment that the Cestus
would again see action.

While production was largely halted in the years following the GCW, the Cestus
battlesuit was resurrected for use by many of the under equipped platoons under the the
South American Strategic Command (SASTRAC). Approximately 250 Cestus Battlesuits
were used by ground troops in and around the Zentraedi Control Zone. Given their
limited range, the common tactic was to load a DZ-90 Superbomber, or a VC-27
"Tunny" VTOL with a armored platoon of Cestus Battlesuits. The combat
aircraft would be positioned along the ZCZ waiting for any enemy forces. When a
Zentraedi incursion was detected, the Battlesuits would be dropped from the plane and
either stem the assault by themselves or assist the defending forces on the ground.
The most famous use of the Cestus Battlesuits occurred in 2021 in defense of
Zeta-17, a small outpost along the Zentraedi Control Zone. A major Zentraedi assault
force would have annihilated the small defense force if not for the last minute combat
drop of two platoons of Cestus Battlesuits led by then Major Christopher Blair. The
Cestus Battlesuits were able to hold back the incoming tide until veritech reinforcements
arrived.

The Cestus project was officially terminated in 2023. This enraged many in the
military establishment, but the high command promised that the newer Cyclone and M.O.D.A.T designs would be
superior in every way. This proved not to be the case as although both designs were
superior in armor and firepower, neither could match the mobility of the Cestus.
Many of the RDF forces left behind on earth continued to use the remaining power armors
long after the project was officially terminated. While it was ineffective against
the heavily armed and armored Bioroids, the Cestus did perform well against Invid Mecha -
As a result the few remaining Cestus saw considerable action during Third Robotech
War. The Cestus battlesuit was especially suited to the hit and run tactics during
the Invid occupation. Most of the few remaining Cestus Battlesuits found their way into
the hands of resistance groups.